He remarried after his mother's death, seized power over the world, and slept on the emperor�

The Prime Minister's residence, study.

Prime Minister Lin unfolded the letter and frowned as he looked at his sister's handwriting, which was filled with madness.

"A woman's view."

He muttered something under his breath and casually held the letter up to the candlelight.

He walked to the window, gazing at the waning moon on the horizon, his eyes as deep and unfathomable as the sea.

Destroying Jiang Bingning is too easy.

But the destruction must be worthwhile.

He picked up his pen and wrote only a few words on the new letter paper.

"Proceed according to plan, but do not act personally."

His plan had been laid out long ago.

Jiang Yuerong's chess piece was more useful than he had imagined.

During the palace banquet, he would arrange for someone to have her "voluntarily" ask the emperor to let her stay in the Northern Barbarians as a hostage.

In this way, the emperor's needs were met, a favor was done for the Great Zhou delegation, and the Lin family's "deep understanding of righteousness" was demonstrated.

Killing three birds with one stone.

As for Jiang Bingning...

A slight smile appeared on Prime Minister Lin's lips.

He didn't want her to die.

Instead, it made her publicly humiliate and make a fool of herself in front of everyone.

He wasn't trying to slap Jiang Bingning's face.

It was the face of the high and mighty old concubine behind her.

Once the Dowager Empress's arrogance is dampened, Ji Yunhan will be unable to cause any more trouble.

The entire Prince Xin's mansion will fall into the Lin family's hands.

He put the letter in an envelope and sealed it with sealing wax.

"Someone come here."

"Deliver the letter to the Prince's residence."

"Tell the concubine that everything will be ready at the palace banquet."

-----------------

The next day.

The Northern Di Imperial Palace.

The hall was resplendent with gold and jade, with glass lamps hanging high, shining brightly.

The palace music was melodious, the dancers moved gracefully with their long sleeves, and the palace banquet was exceptionally lively.

When the Great Zhou delegation took their seats, the eunuch leading the way seemed not to notice the official ranks and titles of the delegation members, and simply extended his hand expressionlessly.

"This way, everyone."

That direction wasn't towards the VIP area where the envoys from various countries were located, but rather towards a secluded corner far from the throne and close to the palace gate.

Those sitting around him were all low-ranking officials.

Jiang Chengxuan's face turned ashen.

The Zhou officials behind him also had flushed faces.

As an envoy of the Great Zhou, I have never suffered such humiliation!

This is a blatant show of force!

On the other side, in the ladies' section.

Jiang Yuerong, however, looked smug.

Thanks to the Lin family's influence, she sat in a better position than her father, next to a group of noble ladies from the Northern Di.

She watched her father and brother's embarrassed backs as a subtle, almost imperceptible, sneer curled at the corner of her lips.

this is the truth.

Those who know the current affairs are handsome.

Father's pedantry will only make it difficult for the Jiang family to make any progress in the Northern Di.

Jiang Yuerong was destined to rise to the top.

Just then, a high-pitched voice of an eunuch came from outside the hall.

"King Xin has arrived—"

This sound instantly drew the attention of everyone in the hall.

The Dowager Empress, surrounded by a crowd, slowly walked in.

Beside her stood Ji Yunhan, dressed in a python robe, exuding composure. Behind him followed Ji Chengyun, who was also handsome and extraordinary, with an innate air of nobility in his eyes.

Jiang Bingning supported the Dowager Empress, hiding herself behind the crowd.

She was dressed in white, without any jewels or jade, yet she resembled a plum blossom blooming atop a snow-capped mountain.

Behind her was Consort Lin, whose face was radiant, but whose eyes held a hint of sickly excitement. She did not sit down with Prince Xin and the others, but instead went to sit next to her sister, Consort Lin.

Their sisterly bond was so strong that the officials of Beidi were not surprised at all.

Wherever the Prince Xin's entourage passed, people rose to pay their respects.

This was a stark contrast to the cold reception the Great Zhou delegation had just received.

Jiang Chengxuan looked at that familiar yet unfamiliar figure, his hand holding the wine glass trembling slightly.

Jiang Yuerong also stared intently at Jiang Bingning.

Why should I?!

Why should she be able to enjoy this glory of being the center of attention alongside the people of the Prince Xin's mansion?

She should be the most dazzling person!

After several rounds of drinks, the singing and dancing gradually came to a halt.

Consort Lin, who was sitting next to the Empress, suddenly chuckled and spoke.

Her voice was soft and charming.

"Your Majesty, I have heard that the daughter of Lady Liu from the Zhou Kingdom is extremely skilled in the dances of our Northern Barbarians."

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Countless gazes instantly focused on Jiang Bingning.

There is curiosity, scrutiny, and above all, a playful enjoyment of watching a good show.

Consort Lin wore a polite smile, but her gaze was fixed on Jiang Bingning.

"I wonder if I will have the honor of feasting my eyes on this sight today?"

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, his expression unreadable.

He neither said it was good nor bad.

This is tacit consent.

A look of wild joy flashed in Jiang Yuerong's eyes.

Jump!

Jiang Bingning, hurry up and jump!

Let everyone see that you, this noble lady with such lofty ambitions, are now nothing more than a dancer to be manipulated by others!

Just when everyone thought Jiang Bingning would either accept the humiliation or panic,

Jiang Bingning slowly stood up.

She didn't look at Consort Lin, but instead gave a graceful bow to the emperor at the head of the table.

"I have practiced martial arts since childhood, but I am truly dull-witted when it comes to dancing."

"If I were to make a fool of myself, I fear I would offend His Majesty and all of you."

Consort Lin's expression changed. "Are you defying the imperial decree?"

Jiang Bingning raised her head, her eyes clear.

"This humble woman dares not."

"The Northern Barbarians are martial, and I, your humble servant, wish to offer a sword dance to entertain Your Majesty and the Imperial Concubine."

In short, it's about using minimal force to achieve maximum effect.

What was intended as a humiliation was transformed into an exchange between the two cultures.

Furthermore, the meaning of "offering dance" to please others was transformed into an equal exchange of skills to make friends through martial arts.

A flicker of emotion finally appeared in the emperor's eyes.

"allow."

Soon, a guard presented a long sword.

Jiang Bingning took the sword and walked to the center of the main hall.

She took a deep breath, flicked her wrist, and the scabbard flew out, the longsword emitting a clear, melodious dragon's roar.

Her figure moved with the sword, sometimes like a swallow darting through willows, sometimes like a dragon emerging from the sea.

Gradually, the sword strikes became faster and faster!

It's getting more and more urgent!

The sword's edge pierced the air, accompanied by a sound like tearing silk!

The people in the hall were surrounded by a dazzling silver light and a chilling aura, and they couldn't even see her figure clearly!

Just as the sword dance reached its most exciting moment!

Jiang Bingning suddenly spun around and then leaped into the air!

The white skirt drew a perfect arc in the air, like a snow lotus in bloom!

The hem of his clothes, in that instant, slightly came undone due to the violent movement!

On her right shoulder, a faint red mark was clearly visible!

The mark was no bigger than a thumb, but its shape was extremely peculiar.

It's not a birthmark or a scar, but a clearly defined wolf's head!

"Buzz—"

The hall erupted in chaos!

An elderly minister with white hair and beard stood up shakily, pointing at Jiang Bingning with an incredulous look on his face.

"That...that is..."

"The Mark of the Gray Wolf!"

These words shocked everyone present!

The Northern Di people established their kingdom and worshipped the wolf god. According to ancient legends, the first emperor was able to unify the grasslands only because he was protected by the wolf god.

In the royal bloodline, every few generations there will be one person with a wolf-head birthmark on their shoulder, who is known as the "descendant of the Azure Wolf God"!

However, this legend has not come true for nearly a century.

On the dragon throne, the emperor's expression suddenly changed!

Ji Ling, who was sitting at the lower end of the table, paused in mid-air with his wine glass in his hand.

A sharp glint in his eyes was fixed on Jiang Bingning.